Major upgrade to St Keverne Church, Cornwall

St Keverne Church, on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall has been a place of worship since St Keverne brought Christianity to the village in the 12th C. Today it is a Grade 1 listed church and registered charity.

It has an interesting history including a wealth of social and maritime heritage and architectural artefacts such as original medieval pew ends, and in the Lady Chapel an original barrel roof and bosses going back to 1460.

At present St Keverne Parish Church is undergoing a major development to update facilities in line with the Disabled Access Laws, and to provide a comfortable inclusive space for both worship and community activities.

Phase 1 provided a new heating system, a sound and loop system, a disabled access toilet, new refreshment area, and dedicated flower arrangers room. Phase 2 is scheduled to start during the autumn months and will see a full width ramp in the inner entrance porch, re-siting of the vestry, complete re-wiring and a new lighting system. Also the creation of a dual purpose church and community use room to enable the use of the church building in mid-week hours as well as weekends; and to groups such as family support networks, CAB, finance and debt advisory groups, as well as local activity groups such as children’s work and craft and art groups etc.

Fundraising will continue through this year with colourful images of some of our medieval bench ends. The carvings ‘down west’ particularly in Cornwall tended to be almost exclusively based on Christ’s passion, and amongst the poster images is a ’Pieta’ . The latter are common in statues, but very rare in pew ends. Also there are two posters of original bosses from the Lady Chapel roof.

Posters cost £3.50 each, or £15.00 for all 5. (p.&p. £4.95) UK and NI.

To order posters, Tel: 01326 280108

Image 1

Keverne Parish Church. Dated about 1500, an oak pew end carving thought to be a somewhat cheerful representation of Pontius Pilate; the five carved spears at the adjacent panel of this pew end indicating his authority as Governor.

Image 2

St Keverne Parish Church. Carved oak roof boss over the Lady Chapel, dated about 1460. It ia a typical medieval deeply incised quatrefoliate (four leaf) design. Note the simple but vigorous carving of the roof ribs, the junction of which the boss conceals.

Image 3

St Keverne Parish Church. Carved oak roof boss over the Lady Chapel dated about 1460. It is a quatrefoliate (four leaf) design enhanced by cross stems. Note the simple but vigorous carving of the roof ribs, the junction of which the boss conceals.

Image 4

St Keverne Parish Church. Dated about 1500, an oak pew end probably representing Christ in a shroud in the tomb.

Image 5

St Keverne Parish Church. Dated about 1500, an oak pew end carved to represent the 'Pieta' - an image of the Virgin Mary, mourning over the body of her Son. Pieta statues are common in Catholic churches, but in pew end carvings it is very rare.